An Infopeople Online Learning Course (LSSC approved)

Through practical information and hands-on exercises, you will gain an understanding of cataloging practices, rules, and tools, as well as the nuts and bolts of copy cataloging. The course will cover both cataloging rules currently in use: Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd edition (AACR2) and Resource Description and Access (RDA), the successor of AACR2. The Library of Congress genre/form headings project and Book Industry Standards and Communications (BISAC) subject headings will be discussed, as well. Tips on copy cataloging of newly emerging formats, such as e-books, graphic novels, and downloadable media will be offered.

At the end of four weeks you will feel comfortable with the basics of cataloging, classification, and MARC records and be ready to begin copy cataloging items in a variety of formats.

Course Description: This four-week online course will provide an overview of library cataloging and classification and prepare you to do copy cataloging. Through reading materials, online forums, and individual exercises, you will gain knowledge of basic cataloging rules and tools, commonly used controlled vocabularies, the Dewey Decimal Classification system, and MARC21 format. Applying this knowledge, you will be able to decode MARC bibliographic records and perform basic copy cataloging. The course will briefly discuss issues associated with RDA implantation and options for dealing with legacy AACR2 records.

During the course, you will be doing assignments and taking quizzes. You will also participate in discussion forums and online meetings as part of the online learning process. In addition you will have access to the onlinetools, such as OCLC WebDewey.

Course Outline: When you log in to the Infopeople online learning site, you will see weekly modules with these topics:

Special issues: RDA implementation and handling of legacy AACR2 records

Time required: To complete this course, you can expect to spend 2 to 2½ hours per week, with options for further study and application. You can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night. However, it is recommended that you complete each week's assignments within that week to stay in sync with other learners.

Who Should Take This Course: Anyone from the library community with an interest in learning the basics of library cataloging and classification. This course provides Library Support Staff Certification credits for the Cataloging and Classification competency set. It is particularly focused on the needs of public library staff newly assigned to copy cataloging tasks. The instructor will provide more extensive work with the Dewey Decimal Classification system than with alternatives, but Library of Congress and other classification systems currently in use will be discussed as well.

​

Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC): This course is approved as covering the Cataloging and ​Classification competency set for the LSSC program.

Online Learning Details and System Requirements may be found at: infopeople.org/training/online_learning_details.

Payment: Your invoice will be emailed to the email address of the person who completed the registration. If that is not the person paying the invoice please forward invoice to the appropriate person. Payment is due within 30 days. If you have any questions about your invoice or payment please contact Gini Ambrosino at [email protected]

After the official end date for the course, the instructor will be available for limited consultation and support for two more weeks, and the course material will stay up for an additional two weeks after that. These extra weeks give those who have fallen behind time to work independently to complete the course.

You must be signed in to register.

Material on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Infopeople is supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.